The Portland daily press., 1887-10-08

was followed by others. In public and In
private the danger Of the hour was the topic
of discussion. Dukes paragraph was de-
clared to be an eye-Opener. IL had revealed
TO the white people that they were standing
upon the edge Of social precpice. At such
a time, when the feeling was at fever-heat,
somebody suddenly gasped .'the University
All Montgomery shuddered as If that some
body had shouted 'the pest house" And in
deed it was the same thing. What was THE
University" but social pest house when
viewed with the mOrbidness which had come
upon all Montgomery. Forthwith a move
ment was started to prevent the location OF
''the University" here. That which had
been SO much desired was now repugnant in
the highest degree: More than 400 citizens
and Taxpayers Of Montgomery signed their
names to petition against the location OF
the University ih Montgomery.
A committee carried the paper to Gov.
Seay, whose signature was necessary TO the
carrying out Of the provisions OF the location
Why" said he, ibid you not let me know
of this opposition? Ihave just signed the
BILL" And so he had. The prOtestants
were day late. The University had been
located at Montgomery. The Governor looked
over the formidable array OF names attached
to the petition. Then he took out Of his desk
list Of the names of the Montgomery BUSH
ness men who had subscribed TO the bonus to
secure the Institution. What does this
mean?" he exclaimed. Here / find the
names of men who have promised to give
hundreds of dollars IL the University is To-
Gated in Montgomery, and here | find the
same signatures attached to this protest
against this location. do not understand
it."
Who could understand 1t? But no such
slight objection as inconsistency could stand
| in the way of such movement. The Bour-
bon spirit was aroused. The matter was not
allowed to drop with the futile call upon the
Governor. With twelve lawyers, including
g notl atf hn A Iaho hor he.
leaders in this movement went into court.
They have prayed for an injunction to pre-
vent the establishment OF the university
here.
The petition is unique 1t sets forth that
1.-THE establishment Of the university for col
ored people at or near the city Of Montgom-
cry will operate as constant and continuing
menace to the good order and peace of the
community, and its continuance will tend to
toment and increase the antagonism between
the white race and those Of African descent
by brooding and fostering in the minds Of
an inferior race desire for social equality
with the white, or Caucasian race, which
can never be established or tolerated with
out celebrating the distinction marks Of
radical difference which God has stamped
upon each race"
If that isn't negrOphobia what is it? Can
the Northern mind comprehend the intellect
and wisdom Of the Alabama bar solemnly
and in good faith setting forth such senti-
ments as are given above?
The parties defendant to this strange pro-
ceeding are the Governor the Board Of Trus-
tees, the State Superintendent Of Education
and the State Treasurer. The relief asked
is that these officials may be restrained by
order of court from proceeding to establish
the university, or from using any of the
State money in that direction, and that the
act of the Legislature may be declared I'M
constitutional and void. That Is the form in
which the matter now rests. The State ad-
ministration and the trustees have thirty
days in which to make answer TO this re-
markable petition, and in that time Mont
gomery may cool down.